Why the Intelligent Design Movement is NOT Biblical

The Intelligent Design Movement (IDM) on its own Web site states: “The theory of intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection.”[1]  While this definition sounds very noble and almost spiritual in content, it fails to mention specifically the Creator of the universe and all living things to which it refers. Many Christians like to hide behind the ID Movement so as to not appear controversial or argumentative, but it is NOT a Christian movement by any standards.

Though the ID Movement tips its hat to the fact that the design and complexity of creation imply an intelligent designer, it does not give rightful credit to God as Creator. The Apostle Paul, in verse 25 of Romans chapter 1, called those fools who “worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator.” To refuse to name the actual Designer is to allow for the worship of creation more than the Creator or the assumption that there could be other less significant designers of what only God could have created. Genesis 1:1 clearly states that “In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth.” God is THE Intelligent Designer of ALL things!
 
John's Gospel further emphasizes that Jesus was present at Creation and played a vital role in it. “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not” (John 1:10). One reason the world knew Him not in Jesus' day was as Paul mentioned in his epistle to the Romans, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God.” (Romans 1:21a). We do not glorify God when we refuse to name Him as Creator and give Him the glory that He is due. Two verses earlier in Romans chapter 1, Paul stated that “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen , being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:19-20). There is no excuse for refusing to acknowledge God as Creator! He has made that fact clear to everyone through His Creation.

Later in John's Gospel, Jesus made the bold statement that “Without Me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Nothing of significance has ever been accomplished or ever will be accomplished without His power and His permission. Jesus was present at creation with God as part of the Godhead. He certainly deserves (demands?) to be acknowledged as Creator.

Refusing to name God as Designer/Creator also robs those who embrace ID of the possibility of a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. A classic example is Antony Flew, a prominent atheist, who in 2004 announced that his study of DNA and the complexity of life left him to conclude that there had to be a designer. He acknowledged God as that designer. Guided by the Socratic principle of “follow the evidence, wherever it leads.” Flew found evidence that pointed to God, but he stopped short of establishing a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

Sadly, Intelligent Design is much like 12-step programs which don’t specifically name God as the “higher power” Who gives folks the strength to free them from their addictions. At best, the ID Movement represents a form of deism which has never and will never grant eternal life to anyone. If we do not include the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ as part of our explanation about the origin of all things, we are leaving out the most significant and powerful component.

The Intelligent Design Movement is not Biblical and is not a movement of which Christians should be a part. Bible-believing Christians should, however, become proponents of the Intelligent Designer!

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[1] http://www.intelligentdesign.org/

The Significance of Science in Biblical Apologetics

Science, according to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, is “knowledge attained through study or practice,…” The proper role of science in the search for Truth is to authenticate what God has already stated in Scripture. As Christians, we should begin with God's Word and expect science to confirm what He has said. In much the same way that apologetics document God’s Word, science validates it.

Simply put, Truth is what God says! Jesus, in His prayer for all believers, said to His Father, “Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy Word is Truth” (John 17:17). That pretty much settles the issue. He never said that about science, which is obtaining knowledge through observation and experimentation. Christians should always begin with Scripture and work outward. If the Word of God is Truth, then the best science can do is confirm that Truth.

In Psalm 19, King David declares, “The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies;  yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world...” (Psalm 19:1-4a). According to this passage, even Creation proclaims God's glory. Scripture proclaims the Truth about God and His creation. Science only verifies what Scripture says.

God’s Word also clearly states that He placed into every person’s heart the knowledge of Who He is and what He has done. As such, those who refuse to believe in Him are without excuse! “For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:19-20).  

Science allows man to uncover evidence concerning God's creation to corroborate what He says in His Word. Though this evidence can be seen and is known instinctively by mankind, God still provides ‘proof’ for skeptics via scientific discoveries. In Luke 12:54-56, Jesus rebukes those to whom He was speaking stating that though they could read the signs concerning the weather they could not discern the times (which had been thoroughly explained in His Word). It pleases God when we take Him at His Word.

In Acts 14:15-17, Paul and Barnabas explain to the crowd in Lystra that the God who created the heavens, earth, and sea and everything therein had allowed men to choose their own way, but that He never left Himself without a witness to His provision and goodness. He sent the rain and provided food for them to eat as signs of His power and love. Everything that exists from plants to animals to rain and sunshine are scientific evidences of not only God’s existence, but also of His provision.

Psalm 8 is another psalm written by King David honoring the Lord as Creator of all. “O LORD, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens. You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise. They silence your enemies who were seeking revenge. When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers -- the moon and the stars you have set in place -- what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?  For you made us only a little lower than God, and you crowned us with glory and honor. You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things -- the sheep and the cattle and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. O LORD, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth!”

Science allows us to study the things God made and to understand them better, but ultimately everything, even our scientific discoveries, points us back to the Creator and His limitless creative prowess.  

The Importance of Biblical Apologetics

The term “apologetics” stems from the Greek word, “apologia,” which means “to give a defense,” or “a reasoned statement or argument” in support of something. Biblical apologetics is not apologizing for the Christian faith, but rather presenting a clear defense of the basis of what we as Christians believe. This defense of our faith is important because there are many false teachers and skeptics and even professing Christians who do not accept as Truth the verbal inspiration and inerrancy of God's Word.

The basis of Biblical apologetics is found in the following admonition in 1 Peter 3:15; “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:...” Every Christ follower should be able to give a reasonable answer for why she or he places faith in the Christ of Scripture. This doesn't mean that we all have to be Bible scholars, but it does mean that we should be able to give a good accounting of why we believe God's Truth.

There are three pieces of advice given in the above verse that every Christian apologist should take to heart. The first is in the phrase, “ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts:” The Greek word for “sanctify” is “hagiazo,” which means “to separate from profane things and dedicate to God,” or “to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow.” To be effective apologists, we must first acknowledge God as sovereign and holy. When we acknowledge the sovereignty and holiness of God, we will understand and accept the fact that His Word is inspired and inerrant.

The second piece of advice is the crux of the verse which tells us to be ready always to explain “the hope that is within us.” Every Christian's hope is in Christ! Apologetics is the means by which we are able to explain this hope and point others to the Christ of Scripture.

The final piece of advice is that we share this hope “with meekness and fear.” There is no room for anger or disrespect of others' beliefs when we are defending our faith. We are admonished to be Christlike and in our explaining the reason of our hope in Christ, we are to use humility and respect.The fear mentioned in this phrase does not mean that we should be timid in our defense of our faith. It does, however, indicate that we should, in our fear of God, the Author of Truth, ensure that we are presenting it as He intended. There are those who twist God's Word to suit their own foolish fancies, but 2 Peter 1:20 states emphatically “that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” A Biblical apologist will always present Truth with the fear of God, realizing that God will not hold unaccountable those who twist and pervert His Word.

Apologetics is particularly important in light of the the fall of man because it first requires a thorough and thoughtful study of the Truth of God’s Word followed by a complete acceptance of all that He has said. Had Eve trusted God and viewed things from His perspective rather than from her own (and Satan’s), she would have resisted temptation. Had she and Adam taken God at His Word, they could have enjoyed the Garden of Eden in the way that God had intended.

Genesis 3:1 indicates that the root of the fall (and of all sin) is doubting God’s Word. Satan planted the seed of doubt in Eve’s mind when He asked, “Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” When Eve responded correctly that God had not forbidden her and Adam to eat from any but the one tree, Satan planted a second seed of doubt and twisted God’s Truth by stating “Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” As is his custom, Satan spoke partial truth, but with an ulterior motive. He was right that Adam’s and Eve’s eyes would be opened by eating of the tree, but not in the way that they thought. He also knew they would lose their innocence and purity before the Lord by disobeying Him.

When Jesus was tempted of the devil, the way in which He responded should give every Christian a clear example of apologetics at work. The devil tempted Him with the three major sources of all temptation, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). Jesus’ response in each case was to quote Scripture and answer each of the devil’s attempts at deception with clear Truth.

Romans chapter one clearly elucidates the primary necessity of apologetics in the life of every Christian. In verse 15, Paul indicates that he is “ready to preach the gospel.” In verse 16, he states that he is “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” Verse 18 describes why God’s wrath toward unbelievers is warranted because the evidence of God’s existence has been made clearly visible through His creation. Verse 20 adds that even “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead;…” (v. 20) and have condemned themselves to an eternal hell by their own unbelief.

Verses 21-32 describe the downward spiral of unbelievers as a result of their vain imaginations, their pride, their lust, and their conscious choice to believe lies rather than the Truth. As a result, “God gave them up to their vile affections” and “gave them over to a reprobate mind.” Their ultimate judgment is found in verse 32, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death,…”

Christians are charged by Jesus Himself to go “and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19) the Truth of His Word. Apologetics is a means of taking the message of the gospel and teaching the whole Truth of God’s Word to a lost and dying world.